Latvia catches Facebook fever

RIGA - In the latest marketing trick being considered is the idea of creating an official Facebook page for Latvia on the social networking service of the same name, reports news agency LETA. The plan is to create the page in English, using the name ‘Latvia.’ The State Chancellery has addressed the Latvian Institute and Latvian Investment and Development Agency to cooperate so as to provide a wide range of information about Latvia and common international communication on the page.
However, there have been some obstacles, as several pages consisting of the word ‘Latvia’ already exist, and a new page cannot therefore be created. In this respect, negotiations with several social media experts are taking place and a new technical solution is being developed in order to proceed with creating the content of the page.

As Director of the State Chancellery Elita Dreimane emphasizes, one of the ways of improving communication between the state administration and society and stimulating international recognition is to actively use social networks that enable fast and simple communication opportunities between the administration and society.
“The page for Latvia on ‘Facebook’ in English is another way to advertise our country’s performance in the international arena and to inform the international society about the developments in our country, thus promoting opinion exchange about it,” said Dreimane.

Meanwhile, Rihards Kalnins, public relations specialist from the Latvian Institute, believes that the page could help successfully create a single image of Latvia on social media platforms.
“Several organizations would create the content of the page and make it colorful and diversified, reflecting the developments in Latvia and providing the foreign audience with a broad insight into our country. The Facebook page would inform not only about the news in the administration and politics, but also about the Latvian economy, successful businesses, investment opportunities, cultural events and other things that might attract foreign audience,” said Kalnins.

The official Facebook page is also planned to be placed on the pending official homepage of Latvia for the foreign audience, designed by the Latvian Institute.